I don’t respond immediately. I already know that. But part of me wants him to bleed out. To die. Finally.
“He’ll die if he waits,” Vittorio presses.
I look ahead. Massimo is still walking, his shoulders relaxed.
I give a short nod. “Take him.”
Salvatore exhales as if he’s been holding his breath since the gunshot. They both dip their heads and turn immediately, signaling the Gallo guards behind us. Within seconds, the order spreads quietly.
I start walking again. A few steps later, a hand snatches my arm.
I turn sharply. Luca. Of course.
He stands there like he owns the air between us, his eyes hard and mouth tight with controlled anger. “You’ve lost your mind,” he murmurs.
I don’t stop walking, forcing him to match my pace. “Have I?”
“You shot one of your own men in front of Massimo Caruso,” he says. “Do you understand what that looks like?”
“I suppose you’re here to tell me.”
Luca scoffs. “It looks like instability.”
That word makes my jaw click. Instability. Funny. I’ve survived war, betrayal, and my dead brother’s legacy being shoved onto my back, but this is what they call unstable.
We move past a row of hedges. Massimo and his group are just ahead, chatting about real estate.
Luca lowers his voice further. “You’re giving him reasons to fear you.”
I don’t answer. I’m not listening anymore. Something shifts in my peripheral vision. I turn slightly and freeze. Sienna is here. I thought we left the women at the table. Apparently not. She’s here, and she’s not alone. She’s laughing.
With fucking Valerio.
My jaw tightens so fast it aches.
Valerio stands relaxed beside her, hands in his pockets, his posture easy. Sienna says something I can’t catch and lightly touches his arm.
Is she flirting?
A second touch.
Oh yes, she’s flirting. But there’s a calculation to it. The placement of her fingers is intentional, deliberate. She’s trying to plant something on him. I'm certain of it.
My vision sharpens. The noise of the crowd drops away, taking my sudden flare of jealousy with it. Luca is still talking behind me, but I’m already gone, walking straight toward them.
Valerio sees me first. His expression drops instantly, and he takes several steps back as I close the distance.
“Boss,” he murmurs, already retreating.
Sienna tries to follow his lead, but I move too fast. My hand catches her wrist, hard enough to anchor her in place.
She goes rigid. Her hazel eyes lift to mine.
“What?” she asks, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Really?” The urge to drag her into the bushes and show her exactly why she shouldn't play with fire claws at my throat. “Are you trying to test me?”
She attempts to wrench her arm away, but I tighten my grip until she winces and goes still. Stubborn, as always.
